Betty Elkins Donaldson passed away on January 2, 2019 at Ft. Bayard Medical Center where she had been a long-time resident.  Her service will be held at the Gila Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints on Saturday, January 12. Viewing will begin at 9:00 a.m. with services starting at 10:00 a.m. Interment will follow immediately at the Gila Mesa Cemetery. A luncheon will be provided back at the church after the graveside Betty was born in Winters, Texas to Louis and Susie Elkins on August 31, 1929. Betty grew up in Texas but as she became a young adult she moved with her father and step mother, Matilda, to southwest New Mexico and remained in the southwest the rest of her life. Betty graduated from Cliff High School and married her high school sweetheart Bruce Donaldson. Together they had 3 boys; Wade, Tex, and Buddy. Betty's greatest love were her boys. She was a loving and devoted mother and worked very hard to care for them. They were her greatest joy. Betty worked for the US Forest Service off and on for many years, and at one time for the BLM. She was a ward clerk at Hillcrest Hospital and worked for the Tucson school district. Besides work Betty loved to square dance and western dance. She enjoyed sewing and was an exceptional cook.

Betty is survived by her sons Tex and Buddy, both of Cliff; her sisters Valera Hollimon of Glenwood and Virginia McCauley of Cliff, and her brother Stanley Elkins of Glenwood. She was preceeded in death by her parents and stepmother, her sister Reta Hays, and son Wade Donaldson. She has 15 grandchildren, 47 great grandchildren, and 19 great, great grandchildren. Her family will love and miss her greatly.  The family would like to extend a heartfelt appreciation to the staff of Ft. Bayard Medical Center for their many years of loving care for Betty. Bright Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements, “Traditional Services and Care for your family and friends”, 210 W. College Ave., Silver City, NM 88061. Phone 575-388-1911. Remembrances can be made at www.brightfuneral.net